by JJ Rusch

Created on: March 22, 2009   Last Updated: March 26, 2009

"I think we should fire every elected offical and start from scratch" - Chicago network Facebook post, 3-21-09. That pretty much sums it up doesn't it?

In fairness to Quinn, Illinois' predicament is the result of years of bad management which cannot withstand the current economical downturn. Our new Gov by default is simply reacting to an inherited problem. Just like Stroger's kid did when he hiked the Cook County sales tax last year into a new tax-o-sphere. Many shoppers have become extremely skilled at buying things online free of shipping and sales tax since.

Will they ever learn? That's the real question; as long as we keep doing what we've always done, we'll keep getting what we've always got. Knee jerk reaction tactics are temporary band aids, they don't fix what's broke. In government, national or local, it's tax hikes, in corporate America it's job cuts and pay freezes - well, for some.

WAKE UP! All of us, from Pennsylvania Avenue to the Land of Lincoln, politicians and taxpayers, employers and employees, major change must ensue. True resolve cannot prevail without it. And the whole who-did-what-when doesn't solve a thing either; its a waste of valuable time.

The monetary muck we're stuck in is screaming for solid leadership. People want to have faith in leadership, they want to believe those placed in authority will act on behalf of the people, but unfortunately the Facebook post demonstrates just the opposite. There is a mounting public reflection of doubt for those currently in power in both the public and private sectors, that can only be remedied with alternative actions that will feel unpopular - at first.

We have to take a step back and look at what's really going on: none of us are willing to really do what it takes to create economic solubility. Credit debt, mortgage collapse, international funding, illegal immigrant privileges and the list goes on. We cannot afford to be politically correct anymore, nor ignore the responsibility each and everyone of us needs to own. Drastic times (do) call for drastic measures and there's no room for special interest accommodation or irresponsible consumer behavior on this battlefront for now.

Talk "to" us, Governor Quinn. Dig deep and come back with a plan that demonstrates a willingness to let go of things we can no longer afford, trims some fat and lays the groundwork for legitimate recovery. Create a plan that supports solid change first and then ask us for tax support.

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